When Cosmetic Surgery Becomes an Addiction

Twenty-one-year-old Chloe Ferry of Geordie Shores fame is going under the knife again. She’s not happy with her nose job apparently. She says, “I’m going to get another nose job because I’m not very happy with my nose. Basically, my nose is just so small. It’s too small, and I can’t breathe. I’m going to have my nostrils widened. When I flare them open, I can breathe better. I’m just going to get them a little bit widened. Just a tiny bit, not massively. I’ve been thinking about it.”

Since she became famous, Chloe has had several cosmetic enhancements. The list includes a nose job, eyebrow lift, veneers, Botox, tattooed eyebrows, dermal cheek fillers, and regular lip fillers. She also wanted to have a rib removed to make her waist smaller. The self-admitted cosmetic surgery addict admits that her urge for cosmetic surgery has somewhat calmed. She confessed, “I wanted to get a rib removed to make my waist smaller, but I was 19 and very young and wanted more surgery done. But now I’m very calm with my surgery.”

What Are the Signs of Cosmetic Surgery Addiction?

The most common sign of cosmetic surgery addiction is when you go under the knife repeatedly in a bid to change your appearance – no matter what other people say about your looks. This includes non-invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, veneers, etc.

What Causes Cosmetic Surgery Addiction?

There are many causes for this addiction. Most commonly, it develops because of social pressure to look ‘beautiful’ or ‘perfect’. This conception develops because of photos showing celebrities looking ‘perfect’ in magazines and on TV. It is especially young girls and women who are still very impressionable that will develop such an obsession with their looks. It is, however, not uncommon for men to also become addicted to cosmetic surgery.

There is also a condition called body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD. Sufferers of this condition continuously find flaws with their physical appearance – more than is the norm. BDD sufferers will see themselves as ‘ugly’, even though they will constantly be assured that they are attractive. Their perception of themselves is completely different to how others see them. This causes them to seek help from cosmetic surgeons to ‘improve’ their appearance according to how they think they should look like.

BDD is caused by an underlying issue that needs to be addressed as it causes self-esteem issues with sufferers and can lead to some serious physical complications due to repeated surgery and other procedures. BDD sufferers are often depressed and feel insecure and will continue to go under the knife no matter how many procedures they have already had – they will always find something new that needs to be ‘improved’.

Can Cosmetic Surgery Addiction Be Treated?

Pointing out the addiction to those addicted to cosmetic surgery may not be enough to get these individuals to seek help. They need to realise that there is an underlying problem driving their behaviour and that only once that problem has been addressed and dealt with will the urge to have cosmetic surgery subside.

Middlegate has a 24-hour confidential helpline staffed by experienced counsellors to help you with this issue. If you think that you or someone you love is addicted to cosmetic surgery, it is important that you get help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of causing damage to your body by going for invasive and non-invasive procedures.

Our friendly staff will be able to give you free advice on what to do next and help as well as guide you when deciding to go to a rehab clinic for treatment. It is important to acknowledge that you have a problem. As long as you do not see an issue with your behaviour, you will not see the need to change that behaviour.

What Treatment Is Available to Me?

Compulsive behaviour disorders can be treated with talk therapy as well as alternative therapies such as art therapy where you learn to express yourself through the medium of art in a safe, non-threatening environment. Our counsellors will help tailor a treatment programme around your needs and your underlying issues and help you through the process until you are able to resist the urge to go for surgery.